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The 2018 Spring Shoe Guide

In our comprehensive spring guide, our wear testers logged thousands of cumulative kilometres on 20 of the most cutting-edge shoes, to see how they performed under pressure

February 13, 2018 | By Canadian Running

The midsole technology revolution is in full effect, with Everun, Fresh Foam, React, Flytefoam, BioMogo DNA, Floatride and the newest kid on the block, HOVR, all reinventing what we’re running on. In our comprehensive spring guide, our wear testers logged thousands of cumulative kilometres on 20 of the most cutting-edge shoes, to see how they performed under pressure.

Photos by Hiep Vu.

UNDER ARMOUR SONIC HOVR

Editor’s Pick: Best New Shoe

272 g (9.6 oz.)
Drop ratio: 8 mm
$120

The Sonic is one of two new models to launch with Under Armour’s big technology bet: HOVR. This entirely new midsole material isn’t dissimilar to Adidas’ Boost or Saucony’s Everun, but was developed by Dow Chemical (instead of BASF) and it’s a little firmer and more responsive in the Sonic. The Sonic is an excellent lightweight neutral trainer, which can also be implemented during a race, as it’s light and the HOVR midsole feels snappy and fresh on each run, even after a few hundred kilometres, according to our wear testers. The upper also really shines, as both the all-white and black knit colourways are sharp options, and among the most breathable shoes we’ve ever tested. The Sonic is a great start for an exciting new direction for Under Armour.

TOPO ATHLETIC MAGNIFLY

Women’s 235 g (8.3 oz.) Men’s 283 g (10 oz.)
Drop ratio: 0 mm
$170

Tony Post, one of the central figures behind Vibram and the “barefoot” movement started Topo Athletic a few years ago. While the company makes more cushioned shoes for both the road and the trail, it does embrace the “zero-drop” philosophy, meaning the forefoot sits at the same height as the heel. The Magnify 2 is the first update of Topo’s neutral road shoe. Central to the success of this shoe is the ample toe box, which allows for lots of toe extension and splay. It really does feel nice to run in such a wide shoe, that otherwise doesn’t feel sloppy around the rest of the foot. The upper has some nice design improvements, using a mesh, breathable upper, without any heavy overlays. The dual-density midsole EVA feels vastly improved as well, with a slightly more cushioned ride.

361 SPINJECT

Women’s 232 g (8.2 oz.); Men’s 278 g (9.8 oz.)
Drop ratio: 8 mm
$150

The Spinject had our wear testers intrigued by its promising combination of forward-thinking design and performance specs. This light neutral shoe provides a similar experience to other trainer-racer hybrids, like the Saucony Kinvara or New Balance 1400, but with a touch beefier amount of midsole cushioning. The Spinject also shows the direction 361°, a relatively new player in Canada, is going with their design. The Spinject has a premium, knitted upper that is both breathable and has enough stretch for all the bending and contorting your foot does throughout a run without it being too restrictive. The shoe looks great and functions really well, leaving our testers excited to see what 361° has in store for Canadian runners.

REEBOK FLOATRIDE RS

Women’s 186 g (6.6 oz.) Men’s 227 g (8 oz.)
Drop ratio: 8 mm
$180

After re-establishing themselves in the running game with the Floatride Run, the obvious next step for Reebok was to explore what else they could do with this springy midsole technology. Naturally, the temptation for the Floatride Run designers was to “uncage” the upper, removing the plastic framing that gives the shoe its performative structure, and see what happens. The Floatride RS is just that – an entirely knit upper, with a smooth ankle collar and lacing system for a bit of foot stability. Underfoot is the same Floatride midsole as Reebok’s “caged” version. This shoe looks hip and clean, and is ideal for easy runs, but probably isn’t going to be your next long run, mega-mileage companion. What it does indicate is that there’s lots of potential with the Floatride platform for future Reebok running creations.

SALOMON SONIC RA

Women’s 210 g (7.4 oz.) Men’s 244 g (8.6 oz.)
Drop ratio: 8 mm
$170

The Sonic RA leads an overhaul of Salomon’s fledgling road shoe series. A trio of new shoes, with the Sonic RA being the everyday neutral trainer, improve on both performance and fit of the shoes. The single biggest area of improvement comes in the upper. Salomon realized that the previous version of the shoe was just too unforgiving and bulky, and swapped out the material for their sensiFIT technology, a sleeker mesh that’s thinner and lighter. The webbing array melded into the upper works with the lacing system, providing something approaching Salomon’s great quick lacing fit on their trail shoes, but with traditional laces. The Sonic RA definitely feels like a Salomon shoe, meaning its on the firmer side. Thousands of trail runners swear by the French brand’s stable of trail shoes, and the Sonic RA will be a familiar experience for those coming out of the wilderness and transitioning to a road race.

361 STRATA 2

Editor’s Pick: Best Cushioning Shoe

Women’s 252 g (8.9 oz.) Men’s 318 g (11.2 oz.)
Drop ratio: 8 mm
$190

The Strata is 361°’s take on the traditional stability trainer. It’s incredibly stable and supremely well cushioned. This soft landing and structured ride is because of the well-constructed midsole and outsole design of the Strata. In the midsole, layered foam, beginning with a very soft wedge closer to the foot, and a firmer rubber-spun layer near the outsole, provides exactly what many runners are looking for in a cushioning platform. The outsole is all about keeping your foot from pronating. The plastic shank and posting system guides the foot back on top of that comfy pillow of cushioning without it feeling unnatural. The upper relies on overlays to keep the foot locked in place. The Strata is a familiar setup: durable, reliable and all about control and cushioning – and it does this well.

REEBOK FLOATRIDE RUN

Women’s 198 g (7 oz.) Men’s 232 g (8.2 oz.)
Drop ratio: 8 mm
$180

The Floatride is Reebok’s statement shoe, repositioning them as a serious running brand, with the technology and style to back it up. While the 2018 version of the shoe ushers in no new technology updates, the palette of colourways expands, as the beautiful knit upper allows designers to get playful with their looks. The shoe itself isn’t only a looker, but also an energetic neutral trainer. The Floatride foam midsole is exceptionally spring-like, and our testers’ pairs from the very first Floatrides we received are still very close to feeling fresh and responsive, which is impressive after well over 500 kilometres of running. If you’re looking for something speedy that also looks fresh, the Floatride is ideal for tempo runs or wearing casually.

ASICS GT2000 V6

This beloved mild over-pronation trainer gets a complete overhaul, making it lighter and more stylish. The first major tweak is in the midsole material. The GT2000 finally gets Asics’ excellent Flytefoam, meaning a slightly softer cushioning, yet with more resilience than previous models. Flytefoam delivers an impressively even cushioning experience, even after excessive use, so this is great news for GT2000 fans. Asics’ Duomax support system still provides that touch of support for pronators, which has made this shoe such a cult classic. The upper is also totally redesigned, with smoother materials, less overlay clutter and a much more breathable construction. It’s a cleaner, more stylish look for an already great shoe, without losing the soul and character of what makes the GT2000 so desirable.

NIKE PEGASUS 34 SHIELD

Women’s 246 g (8.7 oz.) Men’s 283 g (10 oz.)
Drop ratio: 10 mm
$170

The Shield version of Nike’s bread-and-butter neutral trainer incorporates some weatherproofing elements and high visibility touches. The Peg 34 has been around since last summer, and when we reviewed it we felt that its significant improvements from the 33 made it on of the best neutral trainers, particularly for its reasonable price point, on the market. The Shield version is essentially the same shoe, but does feel ever-so-slightly heavier, probably due to the bootie liner added to keep feet dry and warm. The Pegasus 34 Shield is indeed super reflective, with a heel tab that pops when light hits it, and, of course the Swoosh just glows when you shine a beam to it. The dual Zoom cushioning in the forefoot and in the heel give the Peg 34 extra pop, and the hexagonal tread pattern is decently grippy during mucky shoulder seasons. If you’re battling adverse spring conditions and need a reliable neutral shoe, this is a good choice.

BROOKS LAUNCH 5

Editor’s Pick: Best Value

Women’s 227 g (8 oz.) Men’s 258 g (9.1 oz.)
Drop ratio: 10 mm
$140

The Launch is a no-frills, high-value performance trainer for serious neutral runners who want to log lots of miles. It’s developed a bit of a cult following because it’s very reliable, particularly since version three. This version sees Brooks vastly improve the previously rather conservative upper. Whereas in version four there were multiple overlays and bulkier materials, this update uses just a single piece of engineered mesh wrapping around the entire foot to do the job. And the result is both esthetically pleasing and much better for overall performance. The cushioning is still reliant on the BioMoGo DNA midsole platform, which is a good pick for long runs or a tempo effort. The blown-rubber outsole provides a layer of durability.

ASICS GEL NIMBUS 20

As runners have come to expect over the last two decades from Asics, the Nimbus is a super-cushioned trainer that’s durable and provides some guidance. The Nimbus’s trademark has always been its soft landing. Version 20 does retool some aspects of the previous model, but without losing this aforementioned quality. That soft touch is even softer with the inclusion of Asics’ fantastic new midsole material, Flytefoam. And although it does add some weight, the ample amount of rubber on the outsole makes the Nimbus 20 one of the most durable shoes in this review. The big changes come with the new upper. The addition of gradient mesh and an improved lace design provide an even smoother fit around the top of the foot. A slightly different heel counter rounds out this careful reworking of a cushioning classic.

BROOKS RAVENNA 9

Women’s 232 g (8.2 oz.) Men’s 264 g (9.3 oz.)
Drop ratio: 12 mm
$160

The Ravenna provides a very similar experience as Brooks’ other popular speed-oriented training shoe, the Launch, only with the mild over-pronator in mind. There are very few light and quick motion-control shoes out there, and the Ravenna is a good pick for those who enjoy running in a model like the New Balance 1500 (which also has a touch of stabilizing foam on the medial side), but need a bit more guts underfoot for everyday running. That midsole is made with Brooks’ BioMogo DNA material, which is a touch firmer in this case for slightly more spirited efforts. The shoe’s roll bar helps correct any adverse lateral motion, and the Ravenna is built for abuse, with lots of tough rubber coating the outsole. The seamless mesh upper rounds out a quality, speedier shoe for overpronators.

NEW BALANCE 1500V4 BOA

Women’s 200 g (7.1 oz.) Men’s 244 g (8.6 oz.)
Drop ratio: 6 mm
$160

If you’re focused on running fast and have an ambitious goal in mind, yet also naturally pronate a touch, it can be very tough to find a fast shoe. New Balance realized this a couple of years back and engineered an entirely new category: the performance stability racer (our terminology, not theirs). The 1500 is similar to New Balance’s beloved neutral racer, the 1400, only with a bit of medial posting near the heel, just in case your form gets a bit sloppy late in a race. This collaboration with technology company Boa includes their lacing system, which cyclists swear by. It produces a much more dialled-in, custom fit. The wiring and tightening dial are guaranteed for life, and do deliver a much more specific and snug grab onto the foot than traditional laces. A smart alternative if you find laces frustrating.

NEW BALANCE ZANTE V4

Women’s 211 g (7.5 oz.) Men’s 244 g (8.6 oz.)
Drop ratio: 6 mm
$140

Much like its beefier big sibling, the 1080, the Zante sports New Balance’s Fresh Foam midsole cushioning system. The Zante is designed specifically for speed, so the Fresh Foam is tuned slightly differently than with the 1080. Here it’s got a thinner, firmer and more reactive forefoot, with just enough heel cushioning for a soft landing. This new version of the Zante also continues New Balance’s careful tweaks of the upper. Version four sports a single, continuous engineered mesh toe box area, along with some minor overlays at the midfoot for a snug fit and some structure while running fast. The Zante v4 is the best version of this speedy neutral shoe yet.

SAUCONY KINVARA 9

Editor’s Pick: Best Update

Women’s 184 g (6.5 oz.) Men’s 213 g (7.5 oz.)
Drop ratio: 4 mm
$150

The Kinvara has been a staple for tempo runs and marathon racing for nearly a decade. The ninth incarnation of this lightweight trainer-racer sees some exciting new technological improvements, along with subtle esthetic tweaks. First, and most importantly, the Kinvara gets a nice chunk of Saucony’s Everun, their durable midsole material that is both zippy and tough. The Kinvara 9 also continues to be a surprisingly decent option for a racer looking for a touch of support, as it’s got a bigger slab of foam under the medial arch and heel than most shoes in this class. The upper gets a vastly improved engineered mesh weave, which both looks and works fantastically. It’s safe to say, this is the best Kinvara ever.

NEW BALANCE FRESH FOAM 1080 V8

Editor’s Pick: Best Neutral Shoe

Women’s 276 g (9.7 oz.) Men’s 314 g (11 oz.)
Drop ratio: 8 mm
$195

In many ways, the 1080 has become one of New Balance’s flagship shoes. It’s a well-rounded everyday neutral trainer, which will work nicely for hundreds of kilometres on a variety of different types of runners. It’s so durable for two key reasons: first, the Fresh Foam midsole is spun out of a material that degrades very little compared to EVA, so it feels “fresh” for about as long as the rest of the shoe will last. Secondly, the full-blown rubber outsole is tough as nails, and grippy as sandpaper. The main adjustment made in version eight of this highly successful and refined shoe is in the way the outsole and midsole communicate. The flex groove area has been altered so that the shoe reacts to the foot more naturally, and toes off more elegantly. Overall, this subtle improvement makes an already great everyday trainer even better.

SAUCONY LIBERTY ISO

Women’s 245 g (8.7 oz.) Men’s 275 g (9.7 oz.)
Drop ratio: 4 mm
$210

Along with the Freedom ISO, the Liberty is one of Saucony’s entirely new models in the brand’s subtle revamping around their Everun technology platform. If the Freedom is a lightweight, flexible trainer, the Liberty is the slightly more stable and bigger mileage counterpart. The Liberty is just as soft and bouncy underfoot as the Freedom, with its full plank of Everun as the midsole, but uses a bit more structure, both in the form of shanking in the outsole, and in a stable upper, to anchor the foot from touchdown to toe-off. It’s glued overlays and engineered mesh combo make for an all around durable package and a great pick for neutral runners on their daily run.

361 MERAKI

Women’s 244 g (8.6 oz.) Men’s 301 g (10.6 oz.)
Drop ratio: 9 mm
$170

This neutral, everyday trainer from the emerging global brand 361° has a goldilocks vibe to it: it’s by no means a showy or aggressive shoe, but it is dialled in for that daily run. It’s also an endurance animal, with a blown rubber outsole, a tough upper and a nice, plush heel collar, meaning it’s not going to prematurely wear down and will be able to withstand an entire season of tough training. Our testers took this shoe out for a 30K long run and were pleased with how easy it was to adapt to without a break-in period. The upper of the Meraki is filled with Easter eggs. The great “pressure-free” tongue is unusual for a daily mileage shoe, as it usually comes in lighter, faster racing flats. And the Fitz-Rite webbing breathes much more than the looks of this shoe would let on. In all, the Meraki is a sturdy, efficient package and pairs nicely with 361°’s lighter faster models for a one-two punch.

REEBOK FLOATRIDE FAST PRO

Editor’s Pick: Best Racing Flat

99 g (3 oz.)
Drop ratio: 4 mm
$300

After the overwhelming success of the Floatride, Reebok are releasing a series of impressive performance shoes throughout 2018, beginning with the Floatride Fast Pro. The name says it all: this shoe is crazy fast. It’s perfect for road 5Ks and could be worn by an efficient runner for up to a marathon. Oh, and did we mention that, at just 99 g, it’s the lightest road shoe ever made? The shoe is build upon a slim layer of Reebok’s springy Floatride Foam, made from a polymer called Pebax, which Nike also uses for their Vaporfly 4% shoe ZoomX midsole, which is significantly lighter than traditional EVA. The upper is paper-thin, and won’t hold up for too many miles. But longevity isn’t the point of this lean, mean pair of racing machines. The Floatride Fast Racer is about speed and, hopefully, a shiny new PB. One of our testers said that this shoe provides the most fun they’ve had on the roads in a long time.

BROOKS TRANSCEND 5

Women’s 258 g (9.1 oz.) Men’s 306 g (10.8 oz.)
Drop ratio: 8 mm
$190

The Brooks Transcend, the Seattle-based running company’s premier stability model, gets a complete makeover in version five. The core principles remain: using a set of “guide rails” to keep severe pronators from collapsing on their medial side, ultimately causing repetitive-stress injuries. Brooks realigned the railing system in this update, focusing the stability on supporting not only the foot, but how the shoe affects the knee position as well. The update also includes a 3D mesh upper and heel counter that locks the foot into place, over this extremely stable platform. The Transcend remains an extremely cushioned ride, with a big plush wedge of Super DNA midsole under the foot for a very balanced and comfortable run.